I've come across this article while doing a research about self-publishing. This is very helpful if you're about to publish your book or dreaming of writing a book. If you're a keen observer in every book you read, you'll notice that the book you like or love has some error that the beta/proof reader wasn't able to correct. I've read some of those books, but since I like the author I forego the error. As a reader, I appreciate whenever the author leave this words…
"There is always the possibility that I’ve made mistakes. If you catch any, please accept my apologies, and I’ll strive to do better next time." -- Kristen Callihan
FACT: Even in the book world perfection is impossible!
Before you produce a book you must remember this:
1. …Hyre a kopee editer to currect my spilling, gremmer and punctchatiaon.
Have some trouble reading that? Let me recap in better English: Hire a copy editor to correct my spelling, grammar and punctuation.
AWESOME BUT HURT MY EYES, LOL!
If you ignore all the other resolutions, we beg you: don’t overlook this one. Bad mechanics immediately mark you as an amateur. This doesn’t mean that you can skate through by asking your friend who majored in English check over your manuscript, either. Hire a professional copy editor.
Professionals know how to make the writing mechanics consistent, which is subliminally critical to readers; your English major friend does not. Pay up. Your readers will thank you.
2. …Hire a content editor before publishing my book.
You may think your book makes perfect sense. But you would—you wrote it. Get a professional opinion before paying thousands of dollars to print your book. We can’t count the number of reviewers who tell us a book could have been awesome – if only the author had hired an editor to give them better direction. A content editor will give you feedback beyond writing mechanics that will help you bring the best out of your story.
3. …Find a title that matches the content of my book.
You’d be amazed at how many times we open a book expecting a high-tech thriller, for example, only to find a memoir about the author’s life growing up in New Jersey. For those who love high-tech thrillers, this is akin to opening a birthday present expecting fine jewelry and getting a whoopee cushion instead. Titles create expectations. Be sure your readers won’t be disappointed or jolted when they start reading your book.
4. …Make sure my cover design doesn’t obscure the type on the front and back of my book.
It always stuns me when authors use design elements that make it impossible to read the text on their book covers. It’s all well and good to have an interesting cover design, but if it obscures the print that’s critical to enticing readers, you might as well design a garage that can hold all 2,000 copies of your novel. And don’t forget to design a dust rag while you’re at it.
5. …Write a snappy description of my book and put it at the TOP of the back cover.
Readers shopping for books follow an age-old browsing routine. They check out the title, then flip the book over and look at the top of the back cover for a description of what’s inside. Self publishers seem bent on frustrating these potential buyers. They often leave this description off the book altogether, write it in convoluted prose or bury it at the bottom of the jacket. Give readers a break. Follow this simple convention: write a crisp, enticing summary of your book and don’t make readers break a sweat hunting for it.
...to be continued next week!
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